Combination of treadmill and stair climbing machine

ABSTRACT

A combination of treadmill and stair climbing machine includes a single roller supported on a shaft between two lugs on two sides of the frame of the combination and two rear ends of two pedals are respectively connected to the roller and supported on the two lugs. Two front ends of the two pedals are respectively connected to two hydraulic cylinders. A switch member is pivotably connected to a front end of the frame and can be set in a horizontal position when the combination is used as stair climbing machine, and an inclined position when the combination is used as treadmill. An L-shaped plate is connected to the frame and each pedal has a connection plate which has two elongate holes in which two protrusions on each side of the L-shaped plate are movably engaged, such that the pedals are pivotably supported on the L-shaped plate when used as stair climbing machine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combination of treadmill and stairclimbing machine, and the combination requires only simple mechanismwhich effectively reduces manufacturing cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional combination “A” of treadmill and stair climbing machineis shown in FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B and 6C, and generally includes a frame 50with two posts 20 connected to two sides of a front end of the frame 50and a U-shaped handle 30 is connected to the two posts 20. Two rollers70 are connected to a rear end of the frame 50 and driven by a wheel 71which is driven by a motor “C”. An L-shaped plate 9 is connected to therear end of the frame 50 and supports the shafts of the two rollers 70.Two pedals 10 respectively connected to the two rollers 70 and eachpedals 10 has a running belt “B” reeving the roller 70 and a front endof the pedal 10. Two hydraulic cylinders 40 are respectively connectedbetween the two pedals 10 and two connection ports 41 on the two posts20. Each pedal 10 has an extension 8 connected to an underside thereofand a swing mechanism 80 is connected to the two pedals 10 so that whenthe combination is set to be a stair climbing machine as shown in FIG.6A, the two pedals 10 can be alternately stepped downward at the frontend thereof. A T-shaped switch member 1 is connected to the front end ofthe frame 50 and one of two ends of its transverse bar is pivotablyconnected to a link 3 which is connected to a support frame 4 on whichtwo support pieces 5 are located. Two springs 6 are respectivelyconnected between the two support pieces 5 and the frame 50. Eachextension 8 has a block 7 connected to a distal end thereof so that whenoperating the T-shaped switch member 1 to the position as shown in FIG.6, the blocks 7 are supported on the support pieces 5. At this position,the two pedals 10 cannot be pivoted about the rollers 70 and are used asa treadmill.

It is noticed that the structure for transferring the treadmill andstair climbing machine, including the T-shaped switch member 1, the link3, the support frame 4, the support pieces 5, the blocks 7, and theextensions 8, is too complicated and costly. Besides, the two pedals 10are supported by the rollers 70 which are easily to be off-centered andthis could damage the motor “C”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a combination of treadmill and stair climbing machine, and thecombination comprises a frame with two posts extending from two sidesthereof and a handle is connected between the two posts. Two hydrauliccylinders are connected to the posts and two pedals. Two lugs areconnected on the two sides of a rear end of the frame and a roller isconnected between the two lugs. A wheel is connected to the roller anddriven by a motor.

The two pedals each have a connection plate on a side thereof and thetwo connection plates are connected to the lugs. Each pedal includes arunning belt which reeves through the roller and a front end of eachpedal. A switch member is pivotably connected to a U-shaped frameconnected to the front end of the frame and the switch member can beoptionally positioned at a horizontal position when the two pedals areused as stair climbing machine, and an inclined position when the twopedals are used as a treadmill. A first spring is connected between anunderside of the switch member and the frame. A swing mechanism ispivotably connected to the frame and the two pedals.

The present invention will become more obvious from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswhich show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the combination of treadmill andstair climbing machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, viewed from a front end of the combinationof treadmill and stair climbing machine of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the frame, the roller and the switch member on the frame ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3A shows the roller and the shaft in the roller;

FIGS. 3B and 3C show the protrusions on the L-shaped plate movablyengaged with elongate holes in the connection plates of the pedals;

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the switch member and the U-shaped frame;

FIG. 4A shows the pin on the handle is inserted in the hole of theswitch member;

FIG. 4B shows the combination is set as a treadmill;

FIG. 4C shows the swing mechanism connected to the two pedals;

FIG. 5 shows the combination is set as a stair climbing machine;

FIG. 5A shows the switch member is set when the combination is set as astair climbing machine;

FIG. 5B shows that the combination is set as a stair climbing machine;

FIG. 5C shows that the swing mechanism is operated when combination isset as a stair climbing machine;

FIG. 6 is a side view to show a conventional combination of treadmilland stair climbing machine;

FIG. 6A and 6B shows the frame and the two rollers of the conventionalcombination, and

FIG. 6C shows the rear end view of the two rollers of the conventionalcombination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 3A, the combination “A” of treadmill andstair climbing machine of the present invention comprises a frame 50with two posts 20 extending from two sides of a front end of the frame50 and a handle 30 is connected between the two posts 20. Two lugs 54are connected on the two sides of a rear end of the frame 50 and aroller 70 with a shaft 701 therein is connected between the two lugs 54.A wheel 71 is connected to the roller 70 and driven by a motor “C”. AnL-shaped plate 53 is connected to a transverse bar 53 of the frame 50and two protrusions (FIGS. 3B and 3C) extending from each of two sidesthereof.

Two pedals 10 each have a connection plate 12 on a side thereof and thetwo connection plates 12 are connected to the lugs 54. Two hydrauliccylinders 40 are respectively connected between the two posts 20 and thetwo pedals 10. Each pedal 10 includes a running belt “B” which reevesthrough the roller 70 and a front end of each pedal 10. Each pedal 10has a connection plate 90 which has two elongate holes 91 and the twoprotrusions 5310 are movably engaged with the two elongate holes 91 ofeach connection plate 90 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C when the pedals 10are set in different function positions.

A switch member 61 is pivotably connected to a U-shaped frame 60connected to a transverse bar 51 of the front end of the frame 50. Theswitch member 61 can be positioned at a horizontal position when the twopedals 10 are used as stair climbing machine, and an inclined positionwhen the two pedals 10 are used as a treadmill. A first spring 66 isconnected between an underside of the switch member 61 and the frame 50.

Further referring to FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, and SA, a sub-frame 602 isconnected to a side of one of two side plates of the U-shaped frame 60and a handle 63 having a cam head is pivotably connected to a pin 64which extends through the sub-frame 602 and a first hole 601 definedthrough the side plate of the U-shaped frame 60. A second spring 65 ismounted to the pin 64 and biased between the side plate of the U-shapedframe 60 and the sub-frame. The switch member 61 has an extension whichhas a second hole 611 defined therethrough, so that the pin 64 can beinserted in the second hole 611 when the switch member 611 is set in theinclined position as shown in FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B. Each pedal 10 includesa tongue 11 on an underside thereof and the support member 10 includes ablock 62 on a top thereof. Each tongue 11 includes an inclined sidewhich is rested on a top of the block 62 when the switch member 61 isset in the inclined position.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B, when the handle 63 are pivoted to pullthe pin 64 from the second hole 611 in the switch member 61, and theswitch member 61 is pivoted to horizontal position, the spring 66 holdsthe switch member 61.

Further referring to FIG. 4C, a swing mechanism 80 is pivotablyconnected to the frame 50 and the two pedals 10 so as to allow the twopedals 10 to be operated as a stair climbing machine. As shown in FIG.5C, the swing mechanism 80 includes a main link 81 which has aintermediate point pivotably connected to a transverse bar 52 of theframe 50 and two sub-links 82 are respectively connected between the twoends of the main link 81 and two respective plates 83 connected to thetwo pedals 10.

The load of the pedals 10 are supported on the shaft 701 of the roller70 and there is only one roller 70 so that the shortcoming of theconventional combination is improved. The operation of the switch member61 is convenient to set the pedals 10 to be treadmill or stair climbingmachine.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art thatfurther embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A combination of treadmill and stair climbing machine, comprising: aframe with two posts extending from two sides of a front end of theframe and a handle connected between the two posts, two lugs connectedon the two sides of a rear end of the frame and a roller connectedbetween the two lugs, a wheel connected to the roller and driven by amotor; two pedals each having a connection plate on a side thereof andthe two connection plates connected to the lugs, two hydraulic cylindersrespectively connected between the two posts and the two pedals, eachpedal including a running belt which reeves through the roller and afront end of each pedal; a switch member pivotably connected to aU-shaped frame connected to the front end of the frame and the switchmember being positioned at a horizontal position when the two pedals areused as a stair climbing machine, and an inclined position when the twopedals are used as a treadmill, a first spring connected between anunderside of the switch member and the frame, and a swing mechanismpivotably connected to the frame and the two pedals.
 2. The combinationas claimed in claim 1, wherein a sub-frame is connected to a side of oneof two side plates of the U-shaped frame and a handle having a cam headwhich is pivotably connected to a pin which extends through thesub-frame and a first hole defined through the side plate, a secondspring mounted to the pin and biased between the side plate of theU-shaped frame and the sub-frame, the switch member having an extensionwhich has a second hole defined therethrough, the pin being inserted inthe second hole when the switch member is set in the inclined position.3. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pedal includes atongue on an underside thereof and the support member includes a blockon a top thereof, each tongue including an inclined side which is restedon a top of the block when the switch member is set in the inclinedposition.
 4. The combination as claimed in claim 1 further comprising anL-shaped plate connected to the frame and each pedal has a connectionplate which has two elongate holes, the L-shaped plate having twoprotrusions on each of two sides thereof, the two protrusions movablyengaged with the two elongate holes of each connection plate.
 5. Anexercise device comprising: a frame; a first pedal pivotally supportedon said frame and including a first belt; a second pedal pivotallysupported on said frame and including a second belt; a third rollerrotatably supported on said frame; and wherein said first belt and saidsecond belt are positioned about said third roller.
 6. The exercisedevice of claim 5, wherein said third roller is driven by a motor. 7.The exercise device of claim 5, further comprising: an interconnectionmechanism connected with said frame; and wherein said interconnectionmechanism is operably associated with said first pedal and said secondpedal to cause said first and second pedals to pivot in oppositedirections relative to each other.
 8. The exercise device of claim 5,further comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder connected with said firstpedal and said frame; and a second hydraulic cylinder connected withsaid second pedal and said frame.
 9. The exercise device of claim 5,further comprising: a lockout mechanism connected with said frame, saidlockout mechanism operable to lock said first and second pedals in afixed orientation relative to said frame.
 10. The exercise device ofclaim 9, wherein said lockout mechanism comprises: a switch memberpivotally connected with said frame and adapted to selectively engagesaid first and second pedals.
 11. The exercise device of claim 10,wherein said exercise device functions as a treadmill when said switchmember is in a tilted position.
 12. The exercise device of claim 10,wherein said exercise device functions as a stair climbing machine whensaid switch member is in a horizontal position.
 13. The exercise deviceof claim 12, wherein said lockout mechanism further comprises: a springconnected with said switch member biased to hold said switch member insaid horizontal position.
 14. The exercise device of claim 5, furthercomprising: a support structure connected between said frame and saidfirst and second pedals, said support structure adapted to pivotallysupport said first pedal and said second pedal on said frame.
 15. Theexercise device of claim 14, said support structure comprising: a firstmember connected with said first pedal; a second member connected withsaid second pedal; a third member connected with said frame; and whereinsaid first member and said second member are movingly supported by saidthird member.
 16. The exercise device of claim 15, said supportstructure further comprising: at least one protrusion extending fromsaid third member; at least one first slot in said first member adaptedto receive said at least one protrusion; at least one second slot insaid second member adapted to receive said at least one said protrusion;wherein said at least one first slot reciprocally moves relative to saidat least one protrusion when said first pedal pivots relative to saidframe; and wherein said at least one second slot reciprocally movesrelative to said at least one protrusion when said second pedal pivotsrelative to said frame.
 17. The exercise device of claim 14, saidsupport structure comprising: a first plate extending from said firstpedal; a second plate extending from said second pedal; and a thirdplate extending from said frame adapted to support said first plate andsaid second plate.
 18. The exercise device of claim 17, said first andsecond plates each having slots adapted to receive protrusions extendingfrom opposing sides of said third plate.
 19. The exercise device ofclaim 18, wherein said slots are arcuate.
 20. An exercise devicecomprising: a frame; a first pedal pivotally supported on said frame andhaving a first belt; a second pedal pivotally supported on said frameand having a second belt; a lockout mechanism connected with said frameand having a selectively operable switch member; wherein when saidswitch member is placed in a first orientation, said first and secondpedals are locked in a fixed position relative to said frame such thatsaid exercise device can function as a treadmill; and wherein when saidswitch member is placed in a second orientation, said first and secondpedals are able to pivot relative to said frame such that said exercisedevice can function as a stair climbing machine.
 21. The exercise deviceof claim 20, further comprising: an interconnection mechanism connectedwith said frame; and wherein said interconnection mechanism is operablyassociated with said first pedal and said second pedal to cause saidfirst and second pedals to pivot in opposite directions relative to eachother.
 22. The exercise device of claim 20, further comprising: a firsthydraulic cylinder connected with said first pedal and said frame; and asecond hydraulic cylinder connected with said second pedal and saidframe.
 23. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein said switch memberis pivotally connected with said frame and is adapted to engage saidfirst and second pedals.
 24. The exercise device of claim 20, saidlockout mechanism further comprising a spring connected with said switchmember and biased to hold said switch member in said second orientation.25. The exercise device of claim 20, said lockout mechanism furthercomprising: a pin adapted to extend through a first hole in said frameand a second hole in said switch member to hold said switch member insaid first orientation.
 26. An exercise device comprising: a frame; adrive roller rotatably supported on said frame; a first pedal includinga first belt positioned about said drive roller; a second pedalincluding a second belt positioned about said drive roller; and meansfor pivotally coupling said first pedal and said second pedal to saidframe.
 27. The exercise device of claim 26, further comprising: meansfor interconnecting said first pedal with said second pedal to causesaid first and second pedals to pivot in opposite directions relative toeach other.
 28. The exercise device of claim 26, further comprising:means for selectively locking said first and second pedals in a fixedorientation relative to said frame.
 29. An exercise device comprising: aframe; a first pedal pivotally supported on said frame and including abelt, a front roller, and a rear roller; a second pedal pivotallysupported on said frame and including a belt, a front roller, and a rearroller; and wherein said rear roller of said first pedal and said rearroller of said second pedal is a common roller.
 30. The exercise deviceof claim 29, wherein said common roller is driven by a motor.
 31. Theexercise device of claim 29, further comprising: an interconnectionmechanism connected with said frame; and wherein said interconnectionmechanism is operably associated with said first pedal and said secondpedal to cause said first and second pedals to pivot in oppositedirections relative to each other.
 32. The exercise device of claim 29,further comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder connected with said firstpedal and said frame; and a second hydraulic cylinder connected withsaid second pedal and said frame.
 33. The exercise device of claim 29,further comprising: a lockout mechanism connected with said frame, saidlockout mechanism operable to lock said first and second pedals in afixed orientation relative to said frame.
 34. The exercise device ofclaim 33, wherein said lockout mechanism comprises: a switch memberpivotally connected with said frame and adapted to selectively engagesaid first and second pedals.
 35. The exercise device of claim 34,wherein said exercise device functions as a treadmill when said switchmember is in a tilted position.
 36. The exercise device of claim 34,wherein said exercise device functions as a stair climbing machine whensaid switch member is in a horizontal position.
 37. The exercise deviceof claim 36, wherein said lockout mechanism further comprises: a springconnected with said switch member biased to hold said switch member insaid horizontal position.
 38. The exercise device of claim 29, furthercomprising: a support structure connected between said frame and saidfirst and second pedals, said support structure adapted to pivotallysupport said first pedal and said second pedal on said frame.
 39. Theexercise device of claim 38, said support structure comprising: a firstmember connected with said first pedal; a second member connected withsaid second pedal; a third member connected with said frame; and whereinsaid first member and said second member are movingly supported by saidthird member.
 40. The exercise device of claim 39, said supportstructure further comprising: at least one protrusion extending fromsaid third member; at least one first slot in said first member adaptedto receive said at least one protrusion; at least one second slot insaid second member adapted to receive said at least one said protrusion;wherein said at least one first slot reciprocally moves relative to saidat least one protrusion when said first pedal pivots relative to saidframe; and wherein said at least one second slot reciprocally movesrelative to said at least one protrusion when said second pedal pivotsrelative to said frame.
 41. The exercise device of claim 38, saidsupport structure comprising: a first plate extending from said firstpedal; a second plate extending from said second pedal; and a thirdplate extending from said frame adapted to support said first plate andsaid second plate.
 42. The exercise device of claim 41, said first andsecond plates each having slots adapted to receive protrusions extendingfrom opposing sides of said third plate.
 43. The exercise device ofclaim 42, wherein said slots are arcuate.